Jalga residents call for removal of district police chief

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Scores of residents of the Jalga district of northern Baghlan province on Monday accused the district police chief of cooperating with murderers and smugglers of drug and demanded his ouster.

Around 100 angry inhabitants staged protest in front of the governor’s house early in morning, demanding the immediate removal of Baba Afzal as police chief for the district.

Haji Mohammadullah, one of the demonstrators, accused the police chief of cutting clandestine deals and failing to serve the people over 15 years as police chief for the district.

“Residents often complain to higher authorities against the district police chief. The provincial police chief promised the people the district police head would be replaced. But the promise is yet to be honoured.”

Maulvi Mohammad Baqi, another protester, claimed: “Baba Afzal is has links to murderers, smugglers and thieve. He has never bothered about preventing criminal activities in his bailiwick.”

Baqi also accused the police chief of being complicit in the killing of a district officer. The protester alleged Afzal had taken no action taken against the killers of the district officer.

Baghlan police chief, Brig. Gen. Ikramuddin Sarai, said talks on removing the Jalga police chief were underway. He added the provincial administration was trying to bring positive changes to the police force.